Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Probably Misleading News Story About Trident Launch

The United States test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads during a joint military exercise Wednesday with Saudi Arabia, a Western military official said.The Trident missile launch was carried out in the kingdom, the official said, but he would not give a precise location. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue......A defense official in Washington confirmed the missile launch on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He said, however, that it took place late last week and was part of a demonstration.The Western military official in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, said U.S. Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, head of the Missile Defense Agency, attended the test launch.

[Emphasis mine.] The whole thing really makes no sense. What may have happened is that a Trident missile was launched from a submarine, probably just off the U.S. coast as is normally done, and some Saudis were there to witness it. The AP writer heard about it, and made the assumption that they had brought a Trident missile to Saudi Arabia, set it up on land, and launched it.

On the other hand, if we did really do a launch in the vicinity of the Arabian Peninsula, I'm not sure why we would launch one from land. However, if they brought a boomer into the Red Sea and launched from there, that would be impressive, and a good warning to the Iranians that they could never really ever win a war with the U.S.

Update 0930 01 Apr: Here's the denial that a missile launch happened. I didn't think the story made any sense.

21 Comments:

From the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, even if an SSGN? Seems a bit unlikely, even bizarre. Then again, these are the same types of "sources" who used to swear up and down that there was an underground river leading to the New York prototype site for SSBN's to reload missiles. Corrections will no doubt be forthcoming.

With the media anything is possible, even a surfaced submarine snorkeling being "on fire" as evidenced by highly trained media eyes and their knowledge of fossil fuel byproducts as opposed to a real event, lol.

"The U.S. has been strengthening missile defenses in allied Arab nations in the Gulf to help counter any potential missile strike from Iran."

Are you SERIOUS!!!??? Is this new news? We've maintained this defensive concept since the early 80s. There's nothing new to see here. I can't help but get a laugh out of that one.

"A defense official in Washington confirmed the missile launch on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He said, however, that it took place late last week and was part of a demonstration."

Really??!! Whoduh' thunk it? If said exercise was the real deal, do you honestly think we'd allow the media to get wind of it?

"The U.S. military is trying to reassure Gulf allies by buttressing its defense systems with upgraded Patriot missiles on land and more U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf capable of destroying missiles in flight."

On ground/underground...Umm, why? I don't understand. That makes your missile field a sitting duck. A stationary target is much easier to identify and destroy rather than one who can maneuver and shoot back in both offensive and defensive measures.

I love how the media likes to write this shit up in such sensational BS tripe. Hell, even nursery school rhymes contain more foundation than what we've read of this story in question.

Unrelated, but important news. Three people were killed yesterday in a paperhandling incident at NNPTC. Students were conducting a class book inventory when a chief walking down a nearby staircase triggered an avalanche of books, which crushed three people and left many more with severe injuries. A full investigation is already underway by NR, who had been reviewing NNPTC's paper-handling procedures anyway after several reports of severe papercuts becoming infected and resulting in at least two students losing fingers. New procedures expected to be implemented in the near future include requiring all students to wear rubber gloves when handling any paper-related materials, as well as requiring a face shield and apron whenever any student has more than three books out at once. Also, an NR rep will be present for all future book inventories, to ensure procedures are properly followed.

Yep, it happened. I saw it with my own eyes. I drank the bottle that said, "drink me" and I was led down the hole. At that point I was met by a cat and he hung out on my shoulder while we watched the test. IT was pretty cool, because after that we went and met up with some dude with a big head and were seranaded by a puppet who sang a ballad called Ronry.

About Me

I'm Joel Kennedy -- a married, 50-something year old retired submarine officer and esophageal cancer survivor with three kids who has finally made the transition to civilian life. Politically, I'm a Radical Moderate. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me. Don't call me at home.)